Dodgers: Three Big Questions Left For the Second Half of the Season

What is the plan for Julio Urias?

Julio Urias has had quite the first half.  Between shifting from the rotation to the bullpen with no clear plan and the incident that caused him to be placed on the inactive list, it was an eventful first half.  Now as the second half begins, Urias will look for a much less eventful second half and the club must also figure out what his role is going to be.

When the season began the plan was to use him in a multiple inning role out of the bullpen to keep his innings down.  Then in the late stages of the season, he could be inserted back into the rotation to pitch as a starter for the postseason.  The problem is Julio has pitched so well in relief the Dodgers may want to keep him in the bullpen.

Rich Hill’s injury further complicates Julio’s plan.  If Hill is the fourth starter for the Dodgers entering the postseason, it will be an easy call to keep Urias in a relief role.  But if Hill fails to return or returns and injures his forearm again, then there is nobody else on the roster who profiles better as a fourth playoff starter than Julio Urias.

The Dodgers must find Julio’s role in the second half to help make their playoff roster more clear.